A Boulder man identified as John Dietz was pulled from his burning home by firefighters Sunday evening and is listed in critical condition today at the University of Colorado Hospital, according to Boulder officials.
Firefighters were called to the home in the 500 block of South 41st Street at about 9:20 p.m., said Sarah Huntley, spokeswoman for Boulder Fire-Rescue.
Neighbors told firefighters that they believed Dietz, 51, was at work. But crews began rescue efforts after seeing a television on in the bedroom.
Dietz was found on the floor of the living room and was pulled from the home.
He was taken to Boulder Community Hospital then flown to University Hospital, which has a specialized burn unit.
Huntley said Dietz is in critical condition with first-, second- and possibly third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body.
The fire was quickly brought under control. Although the blaze is not suspicious and it appears to have originated in the kitchen, the fire marshal is continuing to investigate.
No smoke detectors were found in the home, according to Huntley.
She said in the release that smoke detectors are key to early detection of fire and greatly increase the chances of residents escaping a fire without injury.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or Pankratz@denverpost.com
